austsaint

I feel the same way. When the final whistle sounded it was a feeling of sheer relief to get over the line after spending most of the second half dropping deeper and deeper while trying to protect the 1-0 lead. The only reason there wasn't an equaliser or worse came down to Bournmouth not having a Benhrama or a Rice - plus a graft and determination from the likes of Salisu, Caleta-Car, Adams and Perraud. What happened to the side which reasonably recently continued playing with an eye for a second or third goal? Yes, the side lacks a clinical striker, and a creative midfielder, and a solid, mobile central midfield, but the difference could be seen when Stuart Armstrong came on with some direct, powerful running and even the cameo from Diallo showed a different way to close out a game apart from retreating with all players behind the ball. It leaves me thinking this win should not buy Ralph any amount of extra time in charge! Adams was immense all night - bullet header from the precise, first time Perraud cross and a willingness to run all night to do the hard graft. Caleta-Car showed why he's a Croatian International - together with Salisu he held the defensive shape with calm and authority; his touch and passing were also impressive. I thought both wide attackers were disappointing - Elyounoussi and Aribo were bit part contributors, ghosting in and out of the game. AMN showed improvement and made several incisive passes but the CM duo still looked so static and reluctant to run with the ball or seek out quick movement and passes. Lavia can't return to the side quick enough!!

Yes, agree entirely. Both Adams and Armstrong did some good things yesterday - but as a strike-force tandem they don't cut it. Oh for an Ings of 2 or 3 seasons ago or even a one-year-older Broja. I know players like Scamacca are outside of the Club's range, but a striker of his bracket would solve a lot of problems.

Armstrong has played recently as more of a winger, not a striker. Yesterday he was clearly our best attacking player. There's no doubt our striking options are "bare bones" and Adams and Armstrong are not the answer - yet both have roles to play in support of a main striker - someone like West Ham's Scamacca would be just the ticket.

Thought he had a great game....as did Salisu and ABK. The real eye opener today was the lack of fight and bravery throughout the side, which has been present in previous recent clashes with Man City. - no better illustrated than in midfield. Diallo really is not up to the role and though some will interpret JWP's performances as him being "out of form" or "not having his mind" on Football - I see him as an average outfield Prem midfielder with a class dead ball technique; he can't lift or influence a game with run, evasion or progressive passing, and it sets a static rhythm throughout the team. The absence of Lavia and Romeu only highlights that observation. Almost goes without saying that there has to be a change of Manager. A freshen up and a change of managerial face is now urgent to change the course of this familiar Ralph slump.

Neither of todays central midfielders run with the ball at their feet; and JWP is right back to the days of save and backward passing. The loss of Romeu and injury to Lavia really highlight our midfield deficiencies.

Would you really play Elyounoussi ahead of Stuart Armstrong? Much as I like Diallo, I can see Maitland-Niles starting ahead of him if he is match fit. Glad you found a place for AA whoc continues to show up in that wide role though the spectre of Edozie now looms large over his place.

Good write up and probably reflects what a majority of Saints supporters think of him - as you say, he is a player for the future, yet is so precociously talented he is an immediate high class Prem defender. I wouldn't swap any other CB combination in the UK for the pairing of ABK and Salisu - and by the sound of it, you agree.

I'm usually a good speller too 🥺

I wouldn't put Adam Armstrong in the same "useless attacking" category as Elyounoussi, who was incredibly ineffectual and wasteful today after a "revival" against Chelsea. Armstrong was once again well spotted making good runs into space, some nice touches/passes and tracked well in defence. His problem is the arrival of Adozie who is clearly going to make the wide left attacking role his own. Two huge frustrations withe referee today....never a yellow card for Diallo, and why wasn't advantage extended to KWP after being fowled and breaking clear to the byline. Deserved at least a point today with that miss by Adams hard to get your head round.

You should have made more of your views on getting a new striker clearer before 11pm.

Reminds me of Hoedt. Thinks he's a better player than he is and seems to have a blunt, self absorbed personality. Should have spent more time with Romeu while he was here to learn a bit of humility. Can't see him ever pulling on a Saints shirt again. CC is a massive upgrade.

Just about my favourite Saints player. Gave everything - outstanding at interception, tackling and breaking up play. Good passer of the ball and never took a backward step. And by all reports, a very likeable, decent human being.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Germany CB's play if they've got two better than ABK - he just looks like he has the confidence and the temperament to step up at WC level....at 20! Agree with Redkeith too - Bayern, Barca, Real Madrid.....he looks destined for a Club like that.

Yes, there wasn't a bad Saints player on the pitch tonight. A win built on hard work and a collective commitment, compared to Chelsea's disjointed, petulant bunch of "stars". Fair play to Elyounoussi tonight - I've been critical of him but he ran, pressed and got involved for the full 97 minutes. LIkewise, Perraud showed the benefit of a specialist LB playing even if Djenepo was unlucky to miss out. So pleased for AA; he's suited to the wide left role and his speed and stamina are crucial in tracking back defensively - he also has a very good left foot and his goal richly deserved. Che Adams was immense up front - a constant physical presence combined with excellent hold up play. As many others have noted the quality of the new arrivals has transformed this side. Lavia and ABK superb; let's hope we get a second season to enjoy them before they are snapped up by the elite outfits. In Bazanu, we finally have a keeper you can trust and rely upon. The other notable quality Bazunu, ABK and Lavia share is a sense of quiet confidence and strong temperament; they look like they belong at this level immediately. Thought JWP looked much better when he reverted to a true CM role with Diallo, whose second half was excellent. Just don't think WP has the game to play as a 10 - he can still get forward from CM and whip in those crosses or use his technical skill for strikes from a deeper midfield role - Aribo looked the better choice at 10 when he came on. So good was that performance you nearly forget to mention another sublime performance from KWP. His speed and movement; willingness to get forward but also to commit to the defensive back 4 is hugely impressive. A couple of quality incomings and this side is going to be a lot of fun to watch this season.

Broja can, and has played as a winger.

Yes, probably a bit harsh on JWP who is pushing forward and whipping in crosses from the right side. Just the same, his all round outfield game this season has been below par - he had such a great partnership with Romeu, who must surely be off to Girona given his lack of any minutes since the Spurs game (Cup game excluded).

Frustrating watch. Deserved at least a point, with that superb Fernandes volley and the Bazunu, ABK, KWP blocks the only real threat United offered. Our CBs were first class today, well supported by Djenepo and Lavia, who has put JWP in the shade so far (this season) in midfield. Che Adams worked hard, held the ball up well and Adam Armstrong was impressive with his direct running, accurate passes and good crosses. Frustrated with Ralph today - he played Elyounoussi for the whole match last week and an hour today - how much more evidence does he need to work out that ME isn't up to standard. Very strange decision to replace. Adam Armstrong and even stranger to pull Djenepo and Aribo for two defenders late in the match. Nice cameo from Mara and my goodness what a bargain we have in ABK.

He looks ready made. Hard to believe he's just 20...Salisu and he look a formidable pairing already. Happy days.

Yep; it's the right team - apart from Elyounoussi. He should not be starting.

Summed it up well. Ticks to all the new signings - ABK and Lavia are gems who already look like players we will struggle to keep. Bella-Kotchap and Salisu look an outstanding pairing (in the making) with strength, athleticism and skill to justify playing four at the back most of the time. Really don't need to see Bednarek in a Saints shirt again. What a player KWP is. His movement and poise made him a constant threat which compensated for a largely anonymous performance from Elyounoussi who strangely, played the whole game. That's the only criticism I can make of Ralph today - he could have used a number of midfield or FB changes to add immediate improvement. If Adams wasn't fully fit then fair enough to see him play off the bench - what a contribution - with that second scissors kick goal perfectly executed. Mara showed glimpses; Djenepo was once again wholehearted and at times skilful; JWP and Lavia are not there yet as a combination and AA worked hard, did some good things and goals will come if he gets continued game time.

AA has the pace, control, passing game and shot which Elyounoussi will never have, and is a much better part of an attacking system which could usefully include any of Aribo, Mara, Stu, Adams and a new striker. Reverting to four at the back immediately freed the team up - got rid of the static Bednarek, allowed KWP to play his attacking game and gave Salisu and ABK the space to show they have the mobility and anticipation to present a solid central defence; especially with the impressive Lavia in front of them. Much maligned Djenepo was again a solid contributor. Clearly he will make way when Perraud returns to fitness or Tino returns, at which point he too is in the wide attacking mix ahead of Redmond and Elyounoussi. Lavia's immediate impact certainly spells trouble for Diallo and Romeu - although I would always be advocating a three in midfield in certain games instead of playing three CBs. That last 20 minutes must have given every Saints supporter a lift. If Ralph is kept on - he has to show he has learned about his players and a system that suits them - something which many on this forum had already identified.

If they start - I'm worried!

Probably right. My preference would be to play both Romeu and Romeo in midfield with JWP and trust Bella-Kotchap and Salisu to manage central defence. Bazunu has to start.

Yes, I'll gladly concede Boufal's goal was better, in a game that meant more and had to be won. Aribo's strike was fairly special just the shame. Huge upgrade on Redmond, Elyounoussi, Tella and Djenepo.

To be fair, it's an astonishing individual goal against a quality opponent - friendly or no friendly. Right up there with Boufal's effort v the Baggies. The goal also showed the touch and control in tight space Aribo has, which is often the sign of a good player.